6. Self-Understanding
Since the aim of Psychology is to understand behaviors. Self is the first target to be understood. Humans need to understand themselves first. They need to know who they really
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are, their identity, their strengths and their weaknesses. Self-understanding can be pursued by being honest and truthful to oneself. The person can spend time alone, listen to inner self, learn from life experiences and give opportunities to oneself to do various activities in order
to explore one's interests and abilities. If one understands oneself deeply, one will have the ability to understand others deeply. Carpendale and Lewis (2006) caution that understanding others need to include morality (Carpendale and Lewis, 2006). Psychology can stimulate a person's self-exploration by asking questions such as "Who am I?," "What are my interests?," "What are my strengths?," "What are my weaknesses?," etc. Living the life that is congruent with one's inner self can create healthy mind.
Buddhism also emphasizes self-understanding. Buddhist practice begins with the self. Buddhism encourages an exploration of inner self. Praying, meditating and living solitude life can help the person listen to the inner voice, get in touch with oneself deeply and truly understand oneself.